Episode 172: Return to the Demonic Sect
“This is unbelievable!”
Lee Sa-heum couldn’t control his trembling heart.
“This isn’t normal. I need to report this quickly.”
He hurried through the complex corridors, his mind racing.
Soon, he reached a fork in the path.
To the left was Hyesung Pavilion, where the military resided, and to the right was Byeokryeok Hall, where the leader, Deungwangpae, stayed.
Considering that the head of Cheonan Pavilion was part of Hyesung Pavilion’s collaborative organization, the logical choice was to head left.
Yet, without a moment’s hesitation, his feet carried him to the right.
Just as he was about to turn into the path, something unexpected happened.
Whoosh, thud!
A shadow dropped from above, blocking his way.
Startled, Lee Sa-heum jumped back and shouted.
“Who, who are you?”
“Have you committed so many sins that you’re this easily frightened?”
The voice, cold and indifferent, belonged to none other than Dang Ihyeop, the head of the Shadow Division.
Feeling embarrassed, Lee Sa-heum’s face flushed with irritation.
“Appearing out of nowhere like that, of course I’d be startled! What kind of childish prank is this?”
“If you’re startled, I apologize. But where are you rushing off to?”
“Hmph, that’s none of your business.”
“Not my business? As part of the Inspection Bureau, it’s my duty and right to oversee all activities within the sect.”
“And what grounds do you have to monitor me?”
“Hmm. If that’s how you want to play it… very well. Go on your way.”
Dang Ihyeop nodded and stepped aside.
Lee Sa-heum glared at him for a moment before resuming his steps.
But before he could take more than a few steps, Dang Ihyeop’s voice stopped him again.
“I thought someone of your stature would be more thoughtful. Are you simple, or just brave? Haha.”
Lee Sa-heum paused and slowly turned around.
“What are you implying?”
Dang Ihyeop looked at him coldly.
“The leader has already given you one chance.”
He pulled out a document and waved it in the air.
Lee Sa-heum’s eyes widened.
“That…!”
It was the document he had been forced to sign when Sabigang rescued him.
Dang Ihyeop smirked.
“With this single piece of paper you wrote, your position could be revoked. Or worse, it could be used to take your head. If there’s a crime, a charge can always be fabricated.”
“You… are you threatening me?”
“No. I’m warning you. Or, to put it nicely, offering advice.”
“Advice?”
“No matter how loyal a dog is, there’s no need to die with its master when the house is on fire. The choice is yours. Run into the flames with your master, or grab onto a wet rope.”
”…!”
With that, Dang Ihyeop turned and walked away, leaving Lee Sa-heum clenching his fists.
“A dog? Don’t make me laugh. I’m no stray. At least I know how to serve the master who took me in!”
He turned sharply and continued down the right path, though his steps grew heavier without him realizing it.
Meanwhile, from a distance, Dang Ihyeop watched with a faint smile.
“Did you really think you could deceive yourself forever? You’re not even fit to be a loyal dog. When the fire starts, you’ll be the first rat to flee.”
**
Gu Yoon was inwardly surprised.
He had expected Lee Sa-heum to come eventually, but not this quickly.
“How on earth does Sa Gukju manage to move him from miles away?”
Gu Yoon watched as Lee Sa-heum stood before him, clearing his throat awkwardly.
**
Hiding his surprise, Gu Yoon asked, “What brings you here?”
“I have something to report.”
Lee Sa-heum spoke with a hint of awkwardness.
For a long time, he had openly disregarded Gu Yoon.
Now, trying to show respect felt unnatural.
Gu Yoon smiled faintly.
“It’s been a while since you’ve visited, hasn’t it?”
There was a subtle edge to his words.
The Cheonan Pavilion, which gathered information, and the Hyesung Pavilion, which analyzed it, were supposed to work closely together.
Frequent communication was essential, and Lee Sa-heum, more than anyone, should have been close to Gu Yoon, the chief strategist.
Yet, as a close aide to Deungwangpae, he rarely sought out Gu Yoon.
Gu Yoon’s words were a gentle reprimand.
Lee Sa-heum’s expression stiffened slightly.
“I apologize for not visiting more often. I’ll make sure to come by more frequently.”
“There’s no need to visit without reason. But if you have business, you should come.”
Lee Sa-heum simply nodded slightly.
Gu Yoon moved around his desk and sat down, deliberately not offering Lee Sa-heum a seat.
The position makes the person, as they say.
In this case, the ‘position’ referred to rank, but the actual seat was no different.
Making him stand to report was a way to bring the once-arrogant Lee Sa-heum back down to earth.
“So, do you have important information?”
“Yes, it’s significant.”
Lee Sa-heum steadied himself.
There was no turning back now.
It was time to switch allegiances.
Gu Yoon watched him intently.
In situations like this, it’s often best to take the initiative.
“Important information… Could it be that something was stolen from the Dongbang family?”
”……!”
“Perhaps a large amount of gold?”
Lee Sa-heum’s expression visibly faltered.
“How does the strategist know…!”
A sudden thought crossed his mind.
“Could it be…?”
His voice slipped out unintentionally, causing Gu Yoon to frown slightly.
“Could it be? What are you suggesting?”
Lee Sa-heum’s mind raced.
He was the head of Cheonan Pavilion, after all.
While not as brilliant as Gu Yoon, he was quick-witted.
The day Sabigang visited the Dongbang family, the gold disappeared.
And today, Dang Ihyeop had redirected his path here.
It was hard to believe all these events were mere coincidences.
The strategist seemed to know a lot even before he reported anything.
Though he couldn’t grasp the full picture, it felt like an intricate web was slowly enveloping the entire sect.
And the targets of this web were likely Deungwangpae and his close aides.
Realizing this, Lee Sa-heum shivered.
Had he gone directly to Deungwangpae today, he would have been caught in that web.
And the architects of this web were Gu Yoon and Sabigang.
Lee Sa-heum let out a deep sigh without realizing it.
He had wrestled with this decision for a long time.
Even now, he was torn.
Though Sabigang held leverage over him, betraying Deungwangpae, whom he had allied with, wasn’t easy.
But now, the situation was becoming clearer.
Sabigang, unpredictable as he was, and Gu Yoon, who moved with calculated precision.
If these two joined forces…
With a resolute expression, Lee Sa-heum reached into his pocket.
In that instant,
Whoosh! Clang!
A shadow suddenly dropped from above, pointing a sword at him.
“Gah!”
Lee Sa-heum stumbled back, frozen in place.
The one brandishing the sharp blade was none other than Biryung.
She had intervened, fearing he might draw a hidden weapon.
Gulp.
As Lee Sa-heum swallowed, the blade nicked his neck, drawing a thin line of blood.
Biryung narrowed her eyes.
“Slowly. Take your hand out of your pocket.”
Her voice was icy, devoid of any emotion.
The threat was clear: any wrong move, and she’d strike.
Lee Sa-heum moved as if trapped in slow motion, carefully withdrawing his hand.
In it was a single piece of paper.
Biryung snatched it away, sheathed her sword, and approached Gu Yoon.
Only then did Lee Sa-heum let out a sigh of relief, while Gu Yoon unfolded the paper and began to read.
Meanwhile, a servant entered and poured tea into a cup.
After a moment, Gu Yoon smiled faintly.
“I’ve read it. But this letter wasn’t meant for me, was it? Shouldn’t it go to its intended recipient?”
Lee Sa-heum frowned slightly.
The letter was originally meant for Deungwangpae.
“Is he reprimanding me?”
Yet, there was a sincerity in Gu Yoon’s words.
Sensing Lee Sa-heum’s confusion, Gu Yoon continued with a smile.
“Let me be frank. You should go to Dang Ihyeop now. Continue as you have been. But from now on, report everything that happens there to me.”
“You want me to be a double agent?”
“You’re quick to understand. Do you lack confidence?”
”…No.”
“Remember, the moment you stepped in here, you grabbed a new lifeline. And whether that lifeline is pulled or cut is entirely up to me.”
”…Understood.”
“Oh, and if you deceive me again, I won’t turn a blind eye.”
As soon as Gu Yoon finished speaking, the maid turned to leave with the tray in her hands.
“Wait,” Gu Yoon called out.
“Yes?” The maid turned back, startled, only to be met with Gu Yoon’s icy voice.
“Bi-ryeong, take care of it.”
In an instant,
Swish! Thud!
A streak of light pierced through the air, striking the maid’s heart.
She fell dead on the spot, eyes wide open, without even a chance to scream.
As Bi-ryeong withdrew the sword, the maid crumpled to the ground.
Lee Sa-heum trembled at the sudden turn of events.
“W-what on earth is this…?”
Gu Yoon fixed him with a steady gaze.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
”…!”
“That maid was a spy planted by you, wasn’t she?”
Lee Sa-heum’s face turned ashen, his jaw visibly quivering.
“P-please, forgive me…”
Gu Yoon gave a faint smile.
“Of course, as a gesture of forming a new relationship, I’ll overlook this incident. But… no more.”
Gulp.
Lee Sa-heum couldn’t find his voice for a long moment.
‘Was the General always this kind of person?’