Chapter 199
Chapter 199
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 199
Chapter Title: The Pursuer, The Blocker
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“…What’s that all of a sudden? Leave it to you?”
Ho-jeong’s words left Do-han unable to hide his suspicion.
After the infuriating events in Hefei that still made his blood boil just thinking about them, his son had strangely holed up in his room ever since returning to Luoyang.
Hearing that he was staying inside like half a hermit, avoiding going out, had frustrated Do-han to no end—what could be wrong with the boy?
What wind was blowing to make him act this way?
Seeing his father squint suspiciously, Ho-jeong laughed brightly.
“Ahahaha…. I’ve been cooped up in my room and it’s getting stuffy, but more than that….”
“More than that?”
“I’ve been thinking it’s about time I helped with Father’s ‘great undertaking.’”
“…….”
“It’s all for my sake in the end, so I can’t just keep lounging around eating for free.”
Do-han stared at him silently for a moment before rising from his seat and approaching.
He placed a hand on his son’s shoulder and asked carefully.
“…Is that for real?”
“Yes. From now on, I’ll help you, Father.”
“Uh, uhahaha—!”
At Ho-jeong’s firm affirmation, Do-han burst into joyous laughter.
He’d wondered what was up with the sudden seclusion in his room, but the boy had just been sorting out his thoughts!
“Hahaha! You’ve finally come to your senses. That’s right, that’s how it should be! It’s all for you. To bestow upon you all the glory, all the honor!”
Just a few words.
Mere lip service, nothing more, yet his father was overjoyed beyond measure. Ho-jeong merely lifted the corner of his mouth.
A melancholic shadow clouding his eyes.
Do-han, oblivious to his son’s mood, turned to Il-ji with a smiling face.
“I withdraw my earlier order. Return to your original duties.”
“…Understood.”
Il-ji, who had been watching Ho-jeong with a peculiar gaze, meekly acquiesced.
He had no idea what the Young Fortress Lord was scheming, but if it meant he could focus on exterminating the Shaolin remnants, it was all good for him.
‘Besides, I’ve already planted eyes on him.’
Il-ji’s gaze flicked briefly toward Ho-jeong’s rear.
There stood a beautiful woman, present yet unobtrusive, as if she weren’t there at all.
Pal-ji (Eight Branches), who had taken over as Ho-jeong’s guard in place of the deceased Chil-ji (Seven Branches).
Feeling her gaze and meeting her eyes, Pal-ji nodded silently.
Il-ji nodded back, then bowed to Do-han.
“Then I’ll return to my duties.”
“Mm, go ahead.”
With that, Il-ji left the office, and Do-han erupted in laughter again, patting his son’s shoulder.
“Hahaha, I knew you’d come around eventually. Of course, who’s your father?”
“…Yes.”
Seeing Ho-jeong’s awkward smile, Do-han nodded repeatedly and got down to business.
“You might not have heard earlier, but I’m sending the remaining Dark Heaven Squad, Mad Wind Squad, and Spear Dragon Squad after that wench.”
“…That’s more than enough manpower. Overkill, even. Do we really need the Spear Dragon Squad? Dark Heaven and Mad Wind alone should….”
“No, no.”
Do-han shook his head at Ho-jeong’s words.
“Over ten years ago, we mobilized the Blood Sea Battalion and Dark Night Battalion in full force to hunt her down. But as you know, it ended in failure. Those ungrateful Heavenly Net Corps hid her so thoroughly…!”
The Heavenly Net Corps, once under his command yet betrayed him.
His face twisted at the thought of those vile traitors, but he took a deep breath through his nose to calm himself.
“We can’t repeat that mistake. Even if it means overcommitting forces, we must kill her this time and leave no loose ends.”
“…I don’t understand why you’re so fixated on her, Father. What can that girl possibly do now?”
To Ho-jeong’s quiet question, Do-han replied firmly.
“Leave a root of trouble, and disaster strikes when you least expect it.”
He gripped his son’s shoulder tightly, as if to drive the point home.
“Remember that. One who stands above all must be thorough in everything. Etch ‘cut the grass by the roots’ into your heart.”
“…Yes.”
A bitter response.
Only then did Do-han glimpse the fragment of emotion on his son’s face.
‘This fool still…!’
Anger flared momentarily, but he held it back.
The boy had always been soft-hearted like his mother since childhood, so maybe it was understandable.
“…I know you were close to that wench when you were young.”
“…….”
“But she’s just one girl. You’re not going to ruin the great undertaking over some dime-a-dozen wench, are you?”
Hearing Do-han’s words, Ho-jeong took a deep breath to suppress his emotions.
Hide your feelings.
Just perfectly play the role of the son Father wants.
Composing himself, Ho-jeong replied with feigned coldness.
“Of course not. As you say, Father, just one girl. I won’t be swayed by some faint childhood memory.”
“Ha, that’s my boy!”
Satisfied with Ho-jeong’s response, Do-han grinned broadly and slapped his son’s shoulder hard before turning away.
“Once you kill that wench, bring me her head. I need to confirm her death myself.”
*-Squeeze*
“Yes. Understood.”
So he didn’t see it.
Ho-jeong’s fists, veins bulging, trembling with rage.
“…….”
The only one who saw was Pal-ji, watching him from behind.
“It’ll take preparations to head to Hebei. You’re dismissed.”
Do-han, still oblivious to his son’s true feelings, sat back down. Ho-jeong unclenched his fists and approached his father.
“But there’s one request, Father.”
“A request? What is it?”
“I’d like to bring a few from the Myriad Eyes Division on this hunt.”
“The Myriad Eyes Division?”
Even as he questioned, Do-han quickly grasped the reason.
Using the intelligence unit to receive fresh intel swiftly during the pursuit.
“Fine. Which squad? Not Red-Eye Squad—White-Eye? Blue-Eye?”
Deeming it a good idea, Do-han asked which squad to assign, but Ho-jeong gave an unexpected answer.
“I’d like to take from Black-Eye Squad.”
“…Black-Eye Squad? Why them of all people? Don’t you know what kind of trash they are?”
Do-han’s face soured at Ho-jeong’s words.
The Myriad Eyes Division consisted of four squads: Red-Eye, Blue-Eye, White-Eye, and Black-Eye.
Among them, Black-Eye Squad was special in a different way from Red-Eye.
To put it simply, it was a gathering of chicken ribs—useless yet hard to discard.
Especially for Do-han.
“I know Black-Eye Squad is made up of those you gathered to monitor former Heavenly Net Corps members.”
“Then why ask for them?”
“That’s exactly why I’m requesting Black-Eye Squad.”
“…What do you mean?”
Ho-jeong put on a cold smile as he began to explain.
“They’re exceptionally skilled, but unreliable, so you’ve half-abandoned them, right?”
It was true.
They were originally from the Heavenly Net Corps but had stayed behind instead of following their comrades who deserted Tyrant Heaven Fortress without permission.
That was Black-Eye Squad.
Dragged to the execution bureau afterward, they endured brutal torture yet insisted on their innocence to the end and were released—but no one trusted them enough to use them.
Individually outstanding, yet untouchably chicken ribs, as mentioned.
“So?”
“I’ll take them this time and test them. See if they’re trustworthy or if they’ll betray like their comrades.”
If they helped catch Hwa-ryeon, they could be reused going forward; if not, execute them on the spot.
Do-han pondered briefly at Ho-jeong’s words, then nodded approvingly.
“Fine. If you put it that way, do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
With his goal achieved, Ho-jeong finally left the office.
*
“Heading back to your quarters?”
“No, to the Myriad Eyes Division.”
Answering Pal-ji’s question emotionlessly as he exited the office, Ho-jeong headed straight for the Myriad Eyes Division hall.
“Y-Young Fortress Lord?”
Entering the hall, he was hit with the smell of ink and old paper.
A man rushing by with an armful of documents spotted him.
“Ah, perfect. Do you know where Black-Eye Squad is?”
“Y-Yes? Black-Eye Squad, you say?”
The man’s face filled with confusion at why the Young Fortress Lord sought such a squad, but he snapped to and answered.
“Ah, at this hour, they’re probably all gathered at the tavern.”
“A tavern? At this hour?”
Ho-jeong glanced at the sun high in the midday sky.
It was around noon.
No decent person would be carousing in a tavern now.
“…Hm, do you know which one?”
“Ah, yes. Wine River Tower, south of the city.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
Ho-jeong turned and headed straight out of the fortress.
Fortunately, Wine River Tower wasn’t far from the city.
-Wahaha—!
-Drink up, drink—!
The raucous noise reached him before he even entered.
It seemed Luoyang had more degenerates than expected.
“…Not that it’s my place to say.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. Let’s go in.”
Ho-jeong strode inside with Pal-ji.
“Welcome… Ack!?”
The waiter greeting him gasped in shock upon seeing his face.
Hm, I must be famous enough that even waiters recognize me.
‘Well, considering the tables and chairs I’ve smashed and paid for all this time.’
Recalling his past exploits with a wry inner smile, Ho-jeong questioned the waiter.
“Looking for some guys from the fortress. Know where they are?”
“From the fortress…? Ah, those guys. They’re in the Plum Room upstairs.”
Nodding at the indication toward the stairs, Ho-jeong resumed walking.
Then came the waiter’s voice at his ear.
-Manager! The Young Fortress Lord of Tyrant Heaven is here!
-What?! For real!?
-Yes! We might get a full set of new tables and chairs this time!
“…….”
“…….”
Stunned by the unexpected exchange, Ho-jeong froze mid-step on the stairs.
I paid generously for damages, but is that their reaction?
‘Wait, was the owner’s expression not bad last time I wrecked the place because of this…?’
Feeling cold sweat trickle down his back, Ho-jeong hurried up the stairs.