Chapter 263

Chapter 263
## Chapter 263. Walking in Silk Clothes at Night (4)

—

Upon listening to the entire account, the situation struck me as completely ridiculous.
“……So.”
The story went that whenever Ya-yul-geuk found himself with a moment of free time, he would pursue Ak Ju-pyeong and insist on unwanted confrontations. Even when Ak Ju-pyeong flatly declined, he would initiate the fight regardless, pestering the guy incessantly at all hours of the day and night.
Wow, this……
“Are you by chance a lunatic?”
“……Dae-sa-hyeong.”
Ah, I had fully intended to keep that thought private, but it slipped past my lips. But really, so what? I tapped Eun-ho on the shoulder and shifted my gaze back to Ya-yul-geuk. What exactly do you intend to achieve by staring at me with that look?
“Hey, do you want to throw hands? Lower your gaze while I’m speaking to you in a civil manner……”
Clatter.
“Let’s throw hands!!”
Observe that temperament. Ya-yul-geuk rose up in a flash, breathing heavily in fury. Eun-ho let out a heavy sigh and quickly struck the guy’s blood points (Ma-hyeol).
“Whether it counts as bad luck or good fortune, the administration at the Academy has kept quiet for the time being.”
That made sense; considering they had personally witnessed my Sa-hyeong and the Academy Head, Buk-won-pyeong, summoning the Third Hall Master and berating him, would any of the subordinates underneath him dare to step forward rashly?
“Additionally, since the Third Hall Master was currently away on official business in the Saheuk Alliance acting as the Mission Captain, it appears Ak Ju-pyeong brought the matter straight to his main family.”
“And after that?”
“My knowledge ends there.”
“Hmm……”
I gave a gentle nudge with my boot to Ya-yul-geuk, who remained immobilized on the ground.
“Hey, isn’t it time to just drop this animosity, make peace, and attempt to coexist?”
In response, since his physical body could not move, Ya-yul-geuk bared his sharp teeth and let out a vicious snarl. ……What is he, some sort of untamed beast?
“I refuse to exist beneath the identical sky as that bastard!”
“……”
As I was letting out a weary sigh while observing this untamed creature.
“Tsk tsk, if you behave entirely as you please, your lifespan will be cut short.”
Seo-hee-Dang, who was resting beside me sipping her Seven-Colored Flower tea, began to flick peanuts in his direction one by one. Hey, listen, you aren’t exactly in a position to lecture anyone about that……
“Kuaaaak! Does this tiny brat wish for death!”
Sigh…… my mind is spinning, truly. Ya-yul-geuk glared at Seo-hee-Dang with a countenance resembling a Yaksha, yet Seo-hee-Dang simply persisted in flicking peanuts, using Ya-yul-geuk’s face as a bullseye.
“You are far more of a tiny brat.”
“Let us duel!”
Cut it out. She happens to be the White Water Divine Maiden, you simpleton. After releasing a brief sigh, I posed another question.
“Are you still incapable of conquering it?”
“What?”
Ya-yul-geuk glared in my direction as though he wished to end my life. I stared directly into his pair of eyes.
“The terror. Are you still incapable of conquering it?”
Ya-yul-geuk’s expression turned utterly rigid. The manner in which he snarled like a wild animal and lunged forward despite sustaining injuries was, when it came down to it, nothing more than a frantic effort to avoid being overwhelmed by terror. Terror that has taken root over a lengthy duration is not an affliction that can be resolved in a single night. Every single day that commences with terror and a sense of powerlessness is merely a continuation of absolute purgatory.
‘Because I, the fellow Ya-yul-jae, and even the So-jeong-dae…… every single one of us lived through each day fighting to survive.’
I comprehended Ya-yul-geuk’s inner state clearer than anyone else could. He was almost certainly just flailing frantically to avoid drowning in water that had already climbed up to his throat.
“項目……”
The voice of Ya-yul-geuk, who had been shrieking like a feral creature, went completely silent.
“I…… cannot grant forgiveness.”
“True, you endured bullying to such a degree, so granting forgiveness is no simple matter. That……”
“I cannot grant forgiveness to myself for merely fleeing in total helplessness.”
“……Eh?”
Ya-yul-geuk’s eyes burned a deep crimson. It appeared to be the result of him exerting extreme effort to prevent himself from spilling tears.
“I cannot forgive the reality that I…… who gained entry to the Academy with such immense difficulty, ended up letting this chance slip through my fingers so powerlessly that I lacked the ability to even flee……!”
Drip— drip—
Ultimately, large tears rolled down Ya-yul-geuk’s face. Though he had kept it to himself, it appeared the guy who bore the burden of his brothers’ sacrifices felt a far heavier weight of debt and accountability than I had anticipated.
“……”
Furthermore, when recalling how he had attempted to abandon his own life at the very end, an even more crushing wave of powerlessness must have overtaken him.
“I…… I utterly despise myself.”
Precisely as he stated, his conduct was unsightly and pitiful. Perhaps because my own reflection—as someone who still hasn’t completely conquered terror while traversing a second lifetime—mirrored his situation, it made him appear even more pitiful in my eyes. While I remained trapped in my thoughts for a brief span while observing the guy who was clenching his teeth and shivering.
Thud.
Abruptly, Seo-hee-Dang rose from her position, stepped over to Ya-yul-geuk, leaned down, and then……
“……?”
……She began to pat his head gently.
“Everyone encounters phases like that. However, there is zero requirement to blame yourself for it.”
Seo-hee-Dang’s remarks felt as though they were pricking a specific corner of my spirit for some reason.
“You must not despise even that version of your identity. You must treasure it more deeply and show it more affection.”
Upon hearing those subsequent words, a sensation that had been pricking my spirit welled up toward my throat. Was Seo-hee-Dang actually capable of possessing such a gentle side?
Right at that moment.
“……Particularly, providing the Ak clan with a justification is an even greater act of idiocy.”
Without warning, Seo-hee-Dang delivered a sharp blow to the guy’s head with the very hand she had just been using to stroke his hair.
“You are an absolute blockhead.”
……I should have known. Ya-yul-geuk’s face, having received an unexpected strike, immediately reverted to that of a snarling wild animal.
“Who are you labeling a blockhead! You are far more of a blockhead!”
“I am not. I have already validated my worth as a participant in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Are you even capable of gaining entry to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?”
“……Let us duel!”
After striking the rear of the twisting Ya-yul-geuk’s head one additional time, Seo-hee-Dang stepped back to her place. I rubbed my temples forcefully to block out their clamorous voices and visualized the character for ‘endurance’ within my mind. Eun-ho, who likewise released a sigh, spoke to me.
“For the moment, given that Ya-yul-geuk has been integrated into the representative team, the Ak clan will exercise discretion even if they choose to act.”
“……Even so, we cannot simply accommodate a fellow who refuses to cooperate within the representative team.”
I gave Ya-yul-geuk a subtle nudge with the toe of my boot.
“I will validate encounters that take place through proper duel invitations. Nonetheless, I will strictly forbid any alternative ambushes or underhanded tactics.”
“What does any of that concern you!”
I supplemented my statement composedly.
“That marks the precise boundary of how far I can extend protection to you. Do not underestimate the Five Great Families. A concrete justification exists for why their authority has endured for half a millennium.”
If I have gone to the trouble of explaining this much, it would be ideal if he would simply comprehend. However, the guy ceased his struggling and stared up at me with a vacant expression.
“Extend protection…… to me?”
Rather than offering a reply, I delivered one more nudge to the guy and shifted my stance away. Truly a troublesome fellow. Eun-ho, who was gazing down at Ya-yul-geuk, questioned me with an inquisitive tone.
“What is your course of action?”
“I’ll need to have a conversation with them first.”
“……With Ak Ju-pyeong? The individual Ak Ju-pyeong despises to a greater extent than Ya-yul-geuk happens to be you, Dae-sa-hyeong.”
I flashed a brief smirk in Eun-ho’s direction.
“Why on earth would I converse with a low-ranking minion like that? I intend to speak with someone positioned far higher than him.”
“Eh?”
I am oblivious to the exact cause, but we maintained a decent rapport for a duration. I wonder if it will turn sour as a consequence of this affair.
‘……Even so, it is preferable to that guy losing his life.’
The visage of the individual who would suffer grief if Ya-yul-geuk passed away drifted into my thoughts. I would far prefer to witness that guy grinning and boasting about his martial expertise. I have no desire to see him sink into despair because his younger sibling perished.
“Well, I’ll just have to make an attempt.”
I directed my attention back to Ya-yul-geuk, who had once more been transformed into Seo-hee-Dang’s target for peanut throwing. He bore a look as though he could not comprehend what in the world was transpiring. Do not look at me with that expression. Even I fail to comprehend my own choices at this current moment.

Ak Byeong-bi exerted every ounce of his willpower to restrain his sentiments as completely as possible. Granted, he had been crossing paths with the Grand Military Counselor quite frequently in recent times, but regardless, arranging a meeting with the leader of the Man-tong-bu remained an immensely intimidating prospect even for someone like Ak Byeong-bi, who occupied the role of the Third Hall Master of the Inspection Pavilion.
‘Whew…… a private audience……’
He was entirely aware of the specific purpose behind this request for a secluded encounter. The objective had been completely transparent from the precise instant he was designated as the Mission Captain.
‘It is undoubtedly linked to So-un-Jin.’
He recognized that it was arranged with the goal of thoroughly probing the questionable indicators the guy had displayed up to this point, and he likewise recognized that he was the ideal candidate for such an assignment. Nonetheless, had he not already submitted his investigative conclusions alongside the official mission log? Even though he had indicated that qualms regarding him operating as an agent for the Black Path could be dismissed by articulating sufficiently on So-un-Jin’s deeds, it was apparent that the precise Jegal-so-myeong had arranged this encounter to gather his perspective straight from his own lips.
‘As anticipated, the Grand Military Counselor truly commands that title for a reason……’
To such an extent that the assertions of him securing his rank solely through the leverage of the Jegal Clan were rendered utterly baseless, Jegal-so-myeong was presently managing the Moolim Alliance in a spectacular fashion. According to the older members who had stepped down from the Inspection Pavilion, had they not claimed that the Moolim Alliance would have been torn apart multiple times over by now due to the sway of the flourishing martial factions and clans? The reality that the reigning Moolim Alliance Leader, Hyeok-mu-gang, was able to occupy the post for an extensive span nearing two decades was likewise majorly a credit to the efforts of Jegal-so-myeong, who had overseen the Man-tong-bu for that identical timeframe.
Shortly after, the entryway parted, and Jegal-so-myeong stepped inside at a deliberate pace.
“My apologies for making someone with such a packed schedule bide their time.”
Jegal-so-myeong, upon entering the private chamber, carried a faint smile upon his lips for some specific reason.
“What variety of tea appeals to you?”
“I am perfectly content with whatever is available.”
“Is that the case? The Junshan Yinzhen that arrived in this recent batch is exceptionally refined.”
Witnessing Jegal-so-myeong setting about arranging the tea with his own hands, Ak Byeong-bi attempted to rise hastily.
“Ah, allow me to……”
“It is of no consequence. Given that I requested a busy individual to step away from their duties, it is only proper that I handle it.”
Observing the Grand Military Counselor softly humming while preparing the beverage, Ak Byeong-bi wound his internal tension tighter than he ever had previously. Projecting a serene demeanor to induce the adversary to lower their guard. This was a tactic regularly utilized during interrogations within the Inspection Pavilion.
A brief moment later, two steaming vessels of tea were positioned before the pair of men.
“Please, enjoy.”
As Jegal-so-myeong unhurriedly sipped the tea and appreciated its fragrance, Ak Byeong-bi refrained from even touching his vessel. Jegal-so-myeong, who was tracking his behavior in a relaxed manner, lowered his teacup.
“Why, is the selection not to your liking?”
“No, that is not the issue.”
“Then what stays your hand from drinking?”
“……”
The looks exchanged by the two individuals locked in the space between them for an instant. Ak Byeong-bi, who was rapidly organizing his thoughts to deduce Jegal-so-myeong’s objective, suddenly spoke up.
“……So-un-Jin is by no means an agent for the Black Path.”
“Eh?”
Jegal-so-myeong assumed a look of mild astonishment. Ak Byeong-bi squeezed his hands into fists. The most effective approach to dismantle such psychological maneuvers was to confront them directly. He locked eyes with the Grand Military Counselor with an unwavering focus.
“While journeying toward the Saheuk Alliance as a component of the official envoys, I monitored So-un-Jin from the absolute closest proximity without neglecting a single instance. Indubitably, there are insolent and unruly traits attached to that youth, but regardless, I maintain that assuming beforehand that his allegiance rests with the Black Path is equivalent to crushing a promising seedling destined to transform into a towering pillar of the Justice Path Moolim.”
Jegal-so-myeong, who remained silent while absorbing Ak Byeong-bi’s declaration, inclined his head slightly. His original plan was to hold a brief discussion prior to a staffing assessment, yet completely unpredicted assertions had spilled from the man’s mouth. Jegal-so-myeong manipulated his cup with his fingers as though the situation had grown intriguing.
“Hmm…… a seedling destined to transform into a towering pillar…… do you genuinely hold that conviction?”
“Naturally, I acknowledge that numerous hardships exist. He is devoid of natural genius and a robust lineage.”
Ak Byeong-bi, shaking his head slightly, shortly drew a breath and asserted with conviction.
“Nonetheless, that youth indisputably contains a capacity worthy of developing into a monumental asset for the Justice Path Moolim.”
“Hmm……?”
Taking in Ak Byeong-bi’s assertions, Jegal-so-myeong paused to contemplate for a brief span. If an individual occupied the post of Third Hall Master of the Inspection Pavilion, they were renowned across both the Black Path Moolim and the Justice Path Moolim. He was as unbending as a stalk of bamboo, unaffected by corruption, and entirely above reproach. Granting that his degree of devotion to his own bloodline was pronounced, where could one find anyone operating within the Moolim Alliance who lacked such traits? Was that not the exact motivation for why they strove to secure entry to the Moolim Alliance by undertaking the absurd standardized examinations or Academy trials?
Ultimately, what carried weight was whether they regulated that devotion properly and proved advantageous to the Moolim Alliance, or if they merely hunted for personal gain like a common leech. That was the specific justification for why he had deliberately dispatched him as the Leader for this particular diplomatic assignment. He desired to witness how he, who despised and detested the Black Path with a passion, would navigate the dilemma of interacting with the Black Path. Because from the rank of Grand Hall Master (Dae-dang-ju) onward, an individual required the capacity to comprehend the overarching circumstances rather than merely the proficiency to execute the basic duties of the office.
And yet, in a setting meant for grading such a capacity, the declarations he blurted out consisted of accolades for So-un-Jin. It was both unexpected and amusing, so he simply chose to keep listening without interrupting.
“The grandest barrier to an individual possessing zero resources achieving elevation is not their flaws or their history. Rather, it is frequently the observations of individuals who harbor envy toward them that transform into the grandest barrier. Consequentially, I maintain that the Inspection Pavilion or the Execution Pavilion must refuse to turn into the corrupted instruments of such individuals to strike down a fledgling that is attempting to soar.”
Jegal-so-myeong signaled his agreement with a nod.
“Naturally, that is correct. But what occurs if matters concerning one’s own faction or bloodline are at stake? Can you preserve your objectivity even in that scenario?”
Remarks that struck deeply into Ak Byeong-bi’s core. He answered composedly to the words that highlighted his history.
“I experience a sense of disgrace. If you require me to bear the consequences, I will accept accountability to whatever degree you deem necessary.”
“Tsk tsk, it is of no concern. How many individuals exist within the Moolim Alliance who do not indulge in that tier of personal motivation? Do not contemplate stepping aside and transferring the burden to a substitute for no valid reason.”
Jegal-so-myeong, who altered the mood with a lighthearted remark, proceeded with his dialogue.
“In any case, is your stance that So-un-Jin is devoid of ties to espionage and exhibits zero likelihood of turning into an agent moving forward?”
Ak Byeong-bi signaled his affirmation immediately.
“So-un-Jin maintains the essence of the Justice Path Moolim more rigidly than anyone else, and he is an individual who displays zero hesitation when it comes to executing righteousness (Hyeop-ui).”
“Hmm……”
A brief interval of quietude settled over the room.
“Hehehe.”
Abruptly, an amused chuckle escaped from Jegal-so-myeong’s lips.
“That is an account I never anticipated emerging from the lips of the Third Hall Master of the Inspection Pavilion.”
At the sound of amusement reverberating across the private chamber, Ak Byeong-bi’s face flushed red.
“I comprehend. I have acquired all the insights I required. You are permitted to return to your duties.”
Following Ak Byeong-bi’s departure, Jegal-so-myeong, remaining by himself, murmured under his breath.
“Transforming an individual who nurtured resentment into an ally. Is he truly a fellow possessing a capacity of that magnitude? Or has the unbending bamboo converted into a flexible reed?”
The grin persisted on Jegal-so-myeong’s countenance as he finished his tea.

Upon making his return to the Third Hall of the Inspection Pavilion, Ak Byeong-bi settled into his chair with a profound sensation of weariness and let loose a lengthy breath.
“It is an arduous task.”
Right as he was reflecting that it would be a simpler endeavor to round up a hundred individuals suspected of espionage and subject them to interrogation.
“Hall Master. A visitor has arrived requesting an audience.”
“A visitor?”
“Indeed. It is Young Master Ak Ju-pyeong.”
Ak Byeong-bi tilted his head in brief confusion and then called out.
“Allow him entry.”
“Understood.”
A brief moment afterward. Ak Ju-pyeong stepped inside, dragging one foot slightly as he walked.
“Suk-bu……!”
The precise instant his eyes fell upon Ak Ju-pyeong, whose features appeared as though he were on the verge of breaking into tears at any second, Ak Byeong-bi’s expression turned completely rigid.