Settled
Samho knelt before the overwhelming terror he couldn't resist.
Is that really a Kunlun Taoist?
It couldn't be.
He knew little about Taoism, but he was certain no normal Taoist could have eyes like that.
To think there's a demon like this in the world!
Forcing his terror-frozen mouth open, he stammered,
"Urk. I-I'll keep quiet about today. What else do you want?"
The killing intent vanished in an instant.
With nothing particular in mind, Jeong Gwang gave a vague reply.
"Discuss it with your master."
"……?"
"How much your lives are worth."
"……!"
Samho had no choice but to agree.
To ensure his master's safety, refine his martial arts, and save their lives, he had to.
"……Understood. Then……."
As Samho turned to leave, Jeong Gwang called him back.
"One more thing. Tell Heukseo this?"
"……What?"
Jeong Gwang's voice grew icy.
"Hyukryeonhu ordered it. Imagine what happens if he runs or his preparations are sloppy."
Samho couldn't grasp the weight of those words.
Still, sensing something ominous, he promised to relay them exactly.
Jeong Gwang pointed to one side.
"On your way, drop that off at my quarters?"
"……The bundle?"
Indeed.
It was the bundle stuffed with promissory notes and gold bills Jeong Gwang had looted earlier.
To the baffled Samho, he earnestly instructed,
"Use the Transparent Dark Soul Demonic Art and sneak it in. Got it?"
* * *
Returning to the Paeng Clan manor, Jeong Gwang headed straight for Paeng Gang-hwi's residence.
The Crown Prince and others were waiting there.
They were all staying in Paeng Gang-hwi's quarters.
The Crown Prince spoke first as representative.
"Where on earth have you been?"
"I said I was digesting after overeating."
"Digesting doesn't explain why your clothes are…… Ah!"
The Crown Prince's eyes widened slightly.
Through the tears in Jeong Gwang's robes peeked the scales of the fangless dragon.
"……Let's step inside."
Jeong Gwang followed the Crown Prince into the room.
No sooner had they sat than the Crown Prince pointed at the scales and asked,
"How do you have Iron Blood Invincible Dragon Armor on?"
"Lizard undergarments?"
"……Heavens. Calling a priceless treasure from antiquity 'lizard undergarments'……."
The Crown Prince looked utterly bewildered.
Jeong Gwang felt the same.
That's the tacky name the Iron Blood Manor vice-lord mentioned.
A quick mental calculation revealed the connection.
So he knows about this…….
In the past, Jeong Gwang had given two fangless dragon tails to the Baek Merchant Group couple.
They'd sent them to Iron Blood Manor for two sets of armor; Jeong Gwang wore one.
The other had gone as a bribe to an imperial official, or so they'd said…….
Not an official, but the palace? Or maybe the official offered it up.
Jeong Gwang asked the Crown Prince,
"Someone else wearing a matching set?"
"……No."
"Hm. Then the Crown Prince or His Imperial Majesty."
"……!"
Stunned into silence, the Crown Prince gave a wry smile.
"No secrets from you, it seems."
"Yeah."
"Hahaha. Did you also hunt the legendary twin-horned fangless dragons?"
"Legendary? Just lizards."
Gazing admiringly at Jeong Gwang, the Crown Prince murmured softly,
"Keep the other set secret? I beg you."
It was a plea to stay silent for the imperial family's safety.
The palace truly was a den of demons among dens.
Tsking inwardly, Jeong Gwang nodded.
"Sure, no big deal."
"Haha. My thanks."
"But aren't you trusting me too easily?"
The Crown Prince shrugged.
"When Jin Okryong makes a promise, what choice do I have but to believe?"
Jeong Gwang whistled softly.
"You know how to sway hearts."
"Feeling like visiting me now?"
"Not quite."
"Too hasty, then."
Smacking his lips, the Crown Prince turned serious.
"Time to explain."
"What?"
"Who did you fight? You won, so the danger's gone?"
Jeong Gwang stared blankly.
He was too sharp.
Gonna outlive everyone. Wonder if he'll last.
Glancing at the Crown Prince's shadow, he spotted Samho lurking there first—reassuring him it was safe enough.
North Heaven Tiger goons excel at ambushes and protection over open fights. Should be fine.
Come to think of it, he needed to check with Samho.
-Told the Crown Prince properly?
-……Of course. Said we tailed you hard but found no trace.
-Good. Didn't call you useless?
-…….
-That was a compliment.
-……Thank you.
-No biggie.
Turning back to the Crown Prince, Jeong Gwang said,
"Your Highness."
"Speak."
"Just pass by."
"……!"
Unlike the exasperated Crown Prince, Jeong Gwang was nonchalant.
"You're safe now. Safe enough to stick around longer."
"Hmm……."
Studying Jeong Gwang, the Crown Prince finally spoke.
"Murim business, then."
"Yes."
"Murim and the court don't interfere, but some things can't be ignored."
"True."
"Yet 'just pass by'?"
"Too much to ask?"
Jeong Gwang scratched his head and muttered; the Crown Prince chuckled.
Push harder and he'll bolt. Can't catch him anyway. What to do?
By rumors and experience, his foes were surely dead.
Jin Okryong, whom even the Commander-in-Chief can't measure. If his clothes are torn…… no ordinary enemy.
He couldn't ignore those targeting imperial blood, but Jeong Gwang wouldn't spill.
Not just external threats.
He recalled Paeng Gang-ung collapsing after drinking the wine he'd poured at the feast, dazed.
Connected?
If so, bad news.
For Pang Man-so's sake, who thought like his master, and his own.
The Paeng Clan could be a pillar of strength.
Coming here wasn't just for Pang Man-so.
As if reading his mind, Jeong Gwang said,
"No internal enemies, so don't worry."
"……."
Never were, or none now?
Either way, Jeong Gwang wouldn't lie.
If the Crown Prince got hurt, blame would splash on him too.
No need to ruin the goodwill I built.
Hebei Paeng's eldest, Paeng Gang-ung, was ambitious and capable.
Useful, with a little handling—like others he'd cultivated.
Wait, opportunity.
Even if backing off now, secure a promise.
The Crown Prince murmured casually,
"Hmm. Danger's gone, but to be safe, I should head back soon."
"Wise."
"Good. Here's the deal."
"Huh?"
"Past is past, whoever targeted me. Future matters more, right?"
Jeong Gwang felt a bad vibe.
And unfortunately, his instincts never missed.
"Forget the past, visit me within a year."
"Huh?"
Seeing Jeong Gwang's surprise, the Crown Prince smiled warmly.
"Stay seven days in the capital, share a drink. Settled."
A cheap offer from the Crown Prince.
Yet it highlighted his magnanimity.
Jeong Gwang nodded pleasantly.
"Sure. As your guest, drinks on you?"
* * *
Agreeing, Jeong Gwang left the room.
Not a bad deal for him.
He'd wanted to see the palace someday anyway.
If he pushes too hard, bolt.
Paeng Gang-hwi tried to speak, but Pang Man-so was quicker.
"Talk alone."
"Wow, popular today."
The two entered Jeong Gwang's quarters.
"What happened?"
Jeong Gwang's answer was the same.
"Just pass by."
Pang Man-so wouldn't accept it.
Jeong Gwang had to elaborate vaguely.
"Eldest Young Master was hexed."
"……!"
"I lifted it."
"……."
"Good now?"
"……If you did it, yes."
"Probably?"
Sighing softly, Pang Man-so asked,
"How'd you know it'd happen? How'd you know about the hex? Clothes torn like that means strong foes—who? Where…… You killed them already."
"Whoa, you're chatty."
"In this situation? Answer."
Jeong Gwang had no intention of telling.
Tell him and he'll charge Sima Lian head-on. Why should I?
Murim Alliance handled Sima Lian fine.
The whole Paeng Clan shouldn't.
Why?
Even Paeng Clan would suffer massive losses.
Or outright collapse.
Then no tuition from Pang Su-bin.
That he couldn't allow.
Plus, demonic arts might get exposed.
No one—not Sima Lian, Paeng Clan, anyone—could know.
Samho…… no, Eung-sam, I can control.
Waiting, Pang Man-so narrowed his eyes.
"……Won't tell."
"Nope."
"……Why?"
"Handled it. More important stuff."
"……Speak."
"Eldest Young Master. Awake?"
"Yes."
"Mind's foggy."
"……Indeed. Deeply disappointed, lost in a daze."
Jeong Gwang snapped his fingers affirmatively.
"Exactly. Leave him, he might turn cripple."
"……Crip, cripple?"
Bloodline inevitable?
Pang Man-so's face changed visibly.
Jeong Gwang stayed calm.
"Send him to my room? I'll fix him."
Pang Man-so eyed him complexly.
"Sweeping it under the rug."
"Learned from Crown Prince. 'Settled'."
"……Same thing?"
Pondering, Pang Man-so nodded.
"I'll see Gang-ung first."
He had many questions for his grandson.
* * *
Jeong Gwang was swamped.
As Pang Man-so left, he summoned Baek Seung-mu and Jao to his room.
They fussed immediately.
"Senior Brother! What master tore your robes like that?"
"Unbelievable. How many in the world could harm the world-famous Jin Okryong……."
Jeong Gwang cut Jao's chatter coldly.
He pulled out the bundle Samho had stuffed under the bed.
Unwrapping revealed heaps of gold and jewels.
"Sort this together."
"……Senior Brother! Robbed another place?"
"……This much……."
"Enough. More and I'll train you."
Baek Seung-mu and Jao sorted silently.
Experienced hands made quick work.
Soon done.
"Junior Brother. Rough total?"
Baek Seung-mu gave an estimate.
Jeong Gwang frowned slightly.
"Feels low."
"……Senior Brother, it's plenty."
"Is it?"
Too much looting dulled his sense.
Telling Baek Seung-mu to store it safely, Jeong Gwang stood.
Hesitant Baek Seung-mu blurted,
"Um…… Senior Brother."
"Yeah?"
"That on your wrist. Prayer beads?"
"Oh, this? Weird?"
The Half Buddha Beads.
As Jeong Gwang flicked the beads one by one, it looked odder.
Each carved with demons and Buddhas alternating.
Baek Seung-mu said incredulously,
"Shape aside, a Taoist wearing monk beads? Supreme Ancestor might rage."
Serious advice, but Jeong Gwang differed.
"Your Tao is shallow, Junior Brother."
"……Pardon?"
"Supreme Ancestor isn't petty."