Even a Bear Knows How to Use Its Head
"Even a bear knows how to use its head." "How could the Murim Alliance..." Oenoya was flustered. With the fortress leader in critical condition and everyone's minds elsewhere, such a visit was utterly unprecedented.
But the visitor was who she was. As the Alliance's strategist and a direct descendant of the Jegal family, he couldn't lightly turn her away or let her in.
"I hope you understand that the Alliance is taking this situation very seriously."
Jegal Cheongha invoked the name of the Murim Alliance. That had been her plan from the start. It was the smoothest way to get inside.
"Hmm."
Oenoya agonized. The fortress leader lay bedridden, and the deputy leader had gone to the Nangong family in Anhui to pay respects. With no one in authority present, Oenoya had no choice but to make the call himself, deepening his dilemma.
That was when it happened.
"A guest from the Murim Alliance?"
Someone approached. Relief washed over Oenoya's face at the sight. It was Inner Court Mistress I Hwa-rin. Amid the chaos, she and Oenoya, the outer courtyard manager, were splitting the overall duties of the fortress.
She was the only one he could consult. And fortunately, she had arrived right on time.
"You've heard too, I see. Indeed."
Oenoya hurried over to I Hwa-rin and whispered in her ear.
"She wishes to pay respects to the fortress leader, but I'm at a loss on how to respond."
"Let her in."
"Hm? How did you decide so quickly?"
"Truth be told, before the deputy leader departed, she instructed me. Given our fortress's prominent standing in the martial world, someone from the Murim Alliance might come."
"Heavens, she foresaw that? The deputy leader is as shrewd as ever."
"I was surprised too. In any case, she said not to turn away any guest from the Alliance, no matter the circumstances."
"No matter the circumstances? Hmm, so the deputy leader was prepared for this from the outset?"
"I wouldn't know about that much."
"I see. Very well, then. We'll follow the deputy leader's wishes."
"Thank you, Elder. I'll guide the guest myself."
"Understood."
Oenoya returned to Jegal Cheongha.
"Please, come in. Mistress I will escort you."
"Good."
The impassive Jegal Cheongha finally stepped forward, following I Hwa-rin into the inner courtyard.
"Y-Young master! We've hooked her! That Jegal bitch has entered the fortress!"
Jang Il shouted in excitement. But moments later...
"Oh no, young master, you're resting."
Realizing the situation, he smacked his head with his pot-lid-sized hands in self-reproach.
"......"
As if to prove it, Bang So-un lay there with a deathly pallor. More precisely, he was unconscious.
Anyone could see he was a gravely ill patient.
"W-What do I do? Should I give you the antidote?"
The antidote had arrived via messenger pigeon last night, though it hadn't been used yet.
Jang Il fretted anxiously.
Bang So-un was the absolute mastermind who had orchestrated every plan so far. Without that brain, Jang Il's unease was natural.
The bigger issue was that Bang So-un hadn't anticipated the drug being so potent as to truly knock him out, collapsing mid-final instructions.
That made Jang Il even more anxious—and Bang So-un's head all the more urgent.
Yet...
"...No, no. Something feels off."
Whatever nagged at him, Jang Il shook his bear-like head.
"The young master said it himself: not a single gap when deceiving someone."
It was a lesson from watching and listening to Bang So-un up close—a near-truth.
Even perfect plans could hit unforeseen snags; a flawed execution was disastrous.
Especially against the sharp-minded Jegal Cheongha.
"Giving the young master the antidote now would crack our perfect setup."
Anyone with eyes could tell a critically ill patient from one who wasn't.
Jegal Cheongha would spot the anomaly instantly and raise hell.
Decision made, Jang Il abandoned relying on Bang So-un.
"I have to handle this here. I must finish it myself."
Crack! Jang Il clenched his rock-like fist with grim resolve. His mind raced.
As the saying went, even a temple dog learns to recite poetry after three years. He hadn't wasted time idly by Bang So-un's side; he'd learned to think far better than before.
"There are probably Murim Alliance goons waiting outside with her. Which means..."
Jang Il's eyes flashed sharply.
"No loud fighting noises, absolutely."
No, that wasn't all.
"One shout, and it's over."
If the Jegal bitch yelled to alert them, the Alliance thugs outside would hear. Game over.
So the only way...
"In one strike."
Subdue her instantly. Nothing else.
But the problem...
"Too many people around, and she'll get suspicious."
Planting ambushes was fine. The issue was Jegal Cheongha—a Peak expert, per Eun Hwa-yeong's intel.
She'd sense the Jeolhwadae hidden nearby.
"F-First, pull back. Leave just the two maids and withdraw!"
"Yes, Master."
The lurking Jeolhwadae retreated at once, leaving two disguised as maids. That shouldn't arouse suspicion.
And then...
"You can't afford a single mistake either."
Jang Il addressed the physician by Bang So-un's bedside. Or rather, the Jeolhwadae posing as one.
"Yes, this good pussy bitch won't make a single error, Master."
I Yeon—Submerged Sword in the martial world, mere good pussy bitch here—replied. She'd been chosen for the role simply because she looked least like a fighter.
The two maids were the same: Cold Sword Im So-min and Grass Sword Seo Yohyeon. Their appearances didn't scream martial artist.
A simple but brilliant choice.
Still, one risk remained: Jegal Cheongha recognizing their faces.
Of course, even she couldn't know every martial artist's face—especially from minor sects outside the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Families, or lone wanderers.
I Yeon, Im So-min, and Seo Yohyeon fit that bill perfectly. Judging by looks had hit the mark.
Jang Il added one more safeguard.
"Keep your heads deeply bowed while standing."
He ordered the disguised Cold Sword and Grass Sword. Maids attending the leader's bedside doing so was perfectly natural.
"Yes, Master."
Cold Sword and Grass Sword immediately bowed their heads low, standing deferentially.
Situation sorted—for now.
But the heaviest duty fell to him. With his Peak inner energy, he had to land the decisive blow.
"I'll shed tears here. Wipe them with my forearm. That's the signal. Strike the Jegal bitch all at once."
And in that moment, Jang Il would pounce with full force too.
"Yes, Master."
Every preparation possible was complete. Now, execute flawlessly.
"Young master, I'll make this succeed."
Jang Il's eyes burned with unyielding determination.
"Hm."
Jegal Cheongha had her senses wide open since entering, scanning for anything off.
Nothing yet.
"You're the Inner Court Mistress of Golden Dragon Battlefield?"
Her question had purpose: probing for tells.
"Yes, Strategist Jegal."
"I heard the current fortress leader strictly separated the inner courtyard as a women's quarters upon taking command. Any special reason?"
"After reports of indecent incidents in the women's dorms, it was decided in consultation with the deputy leader."
No hesitation. No awkwardness.
"I see."
She pivoted abruptly.
"When did the fortress leader first fall ill?"
"I'm not sure of the exact date. But about a month ago, his complexion seemed off."
"Off how?"
"He looked fatigued, and I recall his eyes being a bit bloodshot."
"Any measures taken?"
"No one took it seriously then..."
"He kept up appearances, I assume?"
"Such words..."
Displeasure flickered in I Hwa-rin's eyes for the first time.
"My apologies."
Jegal Cheongha withdrew casually. A deliberate provocation to test reactions—no anomalies.
'No easy catches here.'
She'd have to see the leader herself. That's where the verdict would come.
"We're here. That's the place, Strategist Jegal."
They'd arrived.
"I can go in?"
"Yes, we've already notified them."
"Got it."
Jegal Cheongha's steps finally turned toward the fortress leader's chambers.
'She's here.'
Jang Il calmed his excitement. The hypnosis slaves wouldn't err; he just needed to stay sharp.
"I'm Jegal Cheongha of the Murim Alliance, here to pay respects to Fortress Leader Bang."
'Sad thoughts, sad thoughts.'
Jang Il desperately conjured the image of Bang So-un truly at death's door.
Miraculously, a grief-stricken, somber expression formed naturally.
With that face, Jang Il greeted Jegal Cheongha.
"Strategist Jegal, I presume. This way, please."