The Treasury of the Evil Path
Originally, the event to be held after the triumphal ceremony should have been the awarding of rewards for Jeok-un's achievements.
"Truly, magnificent!"
"Absolutely brilliant! To achieve such a grand feat!"
The path leading from the main gate of the headquarters to the grand conference hall was bustling.
It was a distance that could be considered long or short, but as they walked, the figures of Sadocheon were desperate to exchange even a single word with Jeok-un.
"To think he actually resolved a Black-grade mission!"
"The mission itself is one thing, but isn't it even more incredible that he accomplished it all alone?"
"Squad Leader Jeok is truly a blessing to Sadocheon!"
Without exception, everyone was blatantly displaying their desire to curry favor with Jeok-un.
What was particularly noteworthy was that all of them were high-ranking administrators or chiefs within their respective divisions.
In short, it was no exaggeration to say that every single executive in Sadocheon was itching to build a connection with him.
"Hmph! He just stumbled into it like a blind dog finding a bone."
"Indeed. Look at them making such a fuss!"
Of course, not everyone was pleased.
Most notably, the lackeys of Do Ye-cheon, the faction opposing the Lord, kept their distance, wearing sour expressions.
But excluding them...
...the fact that the pro-Lord faction, as well as the majority of the neutral forces, were showing goodwill toward Jeok-un carried immense weight.
It meant the long-standing scales of power in Sadocheon were clearly tilting toward Jeok-un.
Ho. All the stubborn old coots have gathered.
A gleam of interest flickered in Jeok-un's eyes as he scanned the faces present in the grand conference hall.
Most of the Ten Heavens Squad Leaders, the Chiefs of the Five Divisions, and representatives from various halls and directorates had assembled.
It was clear proof of how highly Sadocheon regarded Jeok-un's achievements.
"I heard Squad Leader Do couldn't attend due to a high fever."
"They say he's hovering between life and death with a sudden fever..."
"Suddenly?"
"From what I heard, he got thrashed by Squad Leader Jeok in the past. Isn't he just hiding because his pride is wounded?"
"Heh, that sounds far more plausible."
The absence of Do Ju-man, the Vice Lord's son, raised a few eyebrows.
Although the attendees whispered that he was absent due to illness...
Not my problem.
Jeok-un did not care whether Do Ju-man was truly sick or just throwing a tantrum.
The bastard wasn't even worth his attention.
Step.
Hmm?
Just then, a long shadow suddenly fell over Jeok-un.
The figure was none other than Chief Military Advisor Maeng Po, the Iron Fist Phoenix, a leader of division-chief rank.
Seeing Maeng Po approach, the others scattered like startled flies.
Alongside Law Enforcement Chief Hu Seong, Maeng Po was one of the Lord's two main pillars, and he had clashed with Jeok-un before the mission.
Remembering their past friction, the onlookers fled, terrified of getting caught in the crossfire.
"Bwahahaha!"
Out of nowhere, Maeng Po let out a booming laugh that shook the grand conference hall.
There was not a shred of the hostility he had previously shown toward Jeok-un.
"If it isn't Squad Leader Jeok! I failed to recognize your true greatness! Truly magnificent! Simply magnificent!"
"Urgh!"
And he didn't just laugh.
Maeng Po suddenly pulled Jeok-un into a bear hug, slapping his back hard as he showered him with praise and welcomed him warmly.
"I knew we needed young blood! I believed in you from the very beginning! You are a true hero among heroes in Sadocheon!"
Maeng Po was genuinely ecstatic.
And with good reason. First, Sadocheon's name now echoed throughout the entire Central Plains.
Second, because the mission had been carried out under Dok-go Cheon's direct orders, the prestige of his lord had also soared.
"Thank you for the kind words, Chief Maeng."
Jeok-un smiled and replied, though his back stung from the man's massive, lid-like palms.
"Aiyoo, speak casually! Keep it comfortable!"
"If you insist."
"Hahaha! Did you see that? A true hero, I say!"
Already viewing Jeok-un as a close ally, Maeng Po told him to drop by anytime.
"If you ever crave a drink, come find me. I have plenty of fine liquor prepared."
"Is it right to offer alcohol to someone who has just returned from a grueling battle?"
A voice spoke up from behind.
Annoyed that someone dared to interrupt him, Maeng Po frowned, but his face lit up when he saw who it was.
"Well, look who it is! If it isn't the Finance Chief!"
It was Jeung Yu-beom, the Leader of the Finance Division, who managed Sadocheon's treasury.
His spectacles, the trademark of his office, glinted coldly.
"You have worked hard, Squad Leader Jeok."
As the Chief Seneschal and Finance Leader, Jeung Yu-beom was known for his cold, calculating demeanor and rarely showed emotion, yet...
...What is wrong with this guy too?
Even he was looking at Jeok-un with a bright, welcoming smile.
"Not at all. I merely did what was required of me."
"You are too humble. What you achieved is nothing short of miraculous."
"...?"
"Not many in Sadocheon understand the true value of funds."
Therefore, they needed more people like Squad Leader Jeok who understood the importance of money...
That was the reason Jeung Yu-beom held Jeok-un in such high regard.
And why? Because Jeok-un had brought in a massive amount of money.
A staggering sum, to be precise.
First, by seizing control of Tongseong County, the tribute flowing into Sadocheon had multiplied.
Second, dominating the region allowed them to redirect the local flow of wealth entirely toward Sadocheon.
Sadocheon had been struggling financially after purging the corrupt brothers No Hwang-mun and No Hwang-gu.
In such a dire situation, Jeok-un's exploits had resolved their cash flow issues and given them breathing room.
To the Finance Leader, who had been losing sleep over the tight budget, Jeok-un looked like a golden goose.
Watching the two men, who looked ready to carry him on their shoulders and dance, Jeok-un had to suppress a chuckle.
I never imagined I would win these two over so easily.
Both Maeng Po and Jeung Yu-beom were notoriously stubborn, unyielding men.
He had planned to take his time building a relationship with them.
But now, his political leverage and freedom of movement within the faction would expand significantly.
A pleasant harvest.
*Creak!*
Just as Jeok-un made his assessment, Law Enforcement Chief Hu Seong entered the hall.
The moment all eyes turned toward him...
...Hu Seong raised his voice.
"The Lord of Sadocheon enters!"
*Creak!*
At that moment, Dok-go Cheon, the Lord of Sadocheon, stepped into the hall.
* * *
The meeting proceeded under the direction of Chief Seneschal Jeung Yu-beom.
Naturally, the first order of business was the rewards ceremony for Jeok-un, the man responsible for this gathering.
"Squad Leader Jeok, step forward."
"Yes."
Jeok-un stepped forward.
The surrounding crowd held their breath.
The gazes fixed on him were split into two camps.
Those who looked forward to seeing what grand rewards he would receive for completing a seemingly impossible mission...
...and those who feared the political storm that would sweep over them once he received his due.
Jeung Yu-beom announced Jeok-un's achievements before the assembly.
"Squad Leader of the White Night, Jeok-un, has successfully retrieved the sacred relic of Tongseong County, a task previously classified as impossible..."
Every time one of Jeok-un's feats was read aloud, gasps echoed through the hall.
Even upon hearing it again, his accomplishments were utterly absurd.
"...And finally, present the Snow Soul Gauntlets as proof of your success."
At Jeung Yu-beom's words, Jeok-un turned his gaze toward Dok-go Cheon.
"I, Jeok-un, Squad Leader of the White Night, hereby return the relic as proof of my mission's completion."
Dok-go Cheon nodded in acknowledgment of his hard work.
Jeok-un placed the wooden box he was holding onto a presentation tray.
The wooden box on the tray radiated a biting chill, its surface coated in a layer of frost.
"Oh...!"
"So that is it!"
*Creak!*
The box was opened, revealing the Snow Soul Gauntlets, drawing gasps of admiration from everyone present.
"He truly brought back the Snow Soul Gauntlets!"
"He obtained that by killing Seo Do-yeom? And before that, he even slew Dang Maeng...!"
Though they whispered quietly in Dok-go Cheon's presence, the sentiment was the same.
But the murmurs quickly died down, and silence enveloped the hall once more.
All that remained was for Dok-go Cheon to bestow the rewards.
As everyone held their breath...
...Dok-go Cheon slowly began to speak.
"The Squad Leader of the White Night has annihilated a branch of the Murim Alliance that opposed us, and rooted out a faction of the Black Hegemony Castle that dared to plant spies and distribute drugs within our territory. He has made the name of Sadocheon resound across the Central Plains. How could I not reward such feats? Therefore, as the Lord, I shall bestow the following rewards."
"!!"
The eyes of everyone in the hall widened in shock.
It was because of the plural word—rewards.
It meant he was receiving not just one, but multiple honors.
"First, I shall open the Treasury of the Evil Path to Squad Leader Jeok-un. He may choose any two items from within, without restriction."
Jaws dropped at Dok-go Cheon's declaration.
The very first reward exceeded all expectations.
The Treasury of the Evil Path.
It was the vault where Sadocheon had amassed treasures through blood and conquest since its founding.
A place filled with priceless elixirs, legendary weapons, and rare martial arts manuals.
Even when funds were tight, Dok-go Cheon had refused to open it, calling the treasures sleeping inside the future of Sadocheon.
"The Treasury of the Evil Path... Think of the legendary weapons sleeping in there! And he gets to choose two?"
"And there's no limit on the grade of the items he can choose!"
"If he just takes back the Snow Soul Gauntlets right now..."
While the crowd buzzed with excitement, Jeok-un remained calm, calculating his options.
The Treasury of the Evil Path. Perfect. There was something I needed to retrieve from there anyway.
As a sharp light gleamed in Jeok-un's eyes...
...Dok-go Cheon announced the second reward.
"Second, the White Night Squad shall be elevated and integrated into the Ten Heavens Squads. The Finance Leader shall adjust their monthly stipend and authority to match their new rank."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Dok-go Cheon had promoted the White Night Squad from the outer squads to the elite Ten Heavens.
It was an unprecedented promotion.
Though Jeok-un had joined Sadocheon less than a year ago, he had already risen to the rank of a Ten Heavens Squad Leader, a core executive position.
Witnessing this shocking rise in status, the executives in the room began calculating furiously.
"E-Elevating the White Night Squad to the Ten Heavens? But then, who is getting pushed out?"
"The Black Heaven Mad Dragon has officially entered the power struggle of Sadocheon!"
"What a meteoric rise...! He is the future! We must align ourselves with him at all costs!"
The treasures of the vault, the seat of a Ten Heavens Squad Leader.
Despite these jaw-dropping rewards, Jeok-un's expression did not change.
Because the reward he truly wanted was the one that followed.
"Lastly, I grant the authority to investigate the matter that Squad Leader Jeok requested prior to his departure."
"...!"
Dok-go Cheon's words sent a jolt through the room.
Though the others had forgotten, Jeok-un had made a single request before setting out.
Vice Lord Do Ye-cheon's face froze.
Jeok-un smirked.
It was a blatant, mocking sneer aimed directly at Do Ye-cheon.
"Law Enforcement Chief Hu Seong, hand over all information and documents regarding the case of Night Lord Ji Jung-yeong to the White Night Squad Leader as quickly as possible."
"By your command!"
Specifically, the authority to investigate the truth behind Night Lord Ji Jung-yeong's embezzlement of Sadocheon's funds.
In other words, Jeok-un had obtained the legal authority to investigate the slush funds Do Ye-cheon had embezzled.
"With this, today's assembly is adjourned."
"Loyalty!"
At Dok-go Cheon's closing words, everyone clasped their hands and bowed deeply in respect.
Their actions were identical, but their thoughts were vastly different.
While some hoped for a new future and others feared the gathering storm...
...a voice echoed in Jeok-un's ear.
It was Dok-go Cheon's telepathic transmission.
Jeok-un responded with a silent gaze.
In truth, it was what Jeok-un would have suggested had Dok-go Cheon not spoken first.
While the others remained oblivious, Jeok-un had realized something the moment he saw Dok-go Cheon.
I wasn't the only one who crossed the threshold.
Indeed.
The Lion Sword Emperor, Dok-go Cheon, had finally transcended the peak of the Profound Realm and entered the Life and Death Realm.